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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between. One way to do this is through the usage of appropriate suffix title referred to as keishō (敬称) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017 by either using -san or –sama with the latter being the more formal title.
In these verses, the Hebrew that is translated as “child” or “son” in English is translated in the Shinkaiyaku Bible as o-ko-san (お子さん), combining the word for “child” (ko) and the suffix title –san. (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Kings 4:26:
Kupsabiny: “Go quickly to welcome her and ask her, ‘Are you well? Is your husband well and is also the child well?’ The woman answered, ‘We are all doing well.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Go run and ask ‘Are you, your husband and your child all well?’" She said, "They are well."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Run and meet her and ask how is she, her husband, and her child.’ The woman told Gehazi that everything is all right.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Run to her, and ask her if everything is all right with her and her husband and with her child!’ So Gehazi ran to her and asked her, but she did not tell Gehazi anything. She only said, ‘Yes, everything is fine.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Click or tap here to see the rest of this insight.
Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.
One way to do this is through the usage of appropriate suffix title referred to as keishō (敬称) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017 by using the formal title –sama. This is distinct from nominal titles such as “master.” This is evident from the forms such as go-shujin-sama (ご主人様) “master” or “lord” which is the combination of the nominal title shujin “master” with the honorific prefix go- and the suffix title –sama.
In some cases, it can also be used as go-shujin (ご主人), i.e. with the honorific prefix go- but without the suffix title –sama. You can find that in Genesis 23:6, 23:11, 23:15, 24:51, 39:8, 39:9, 44:8, 44:9; 1 Samuel 25:17; and 2 Kings 2:16 and 4:26.
Run at once to meet her: The Hebrew here contains the particle of entreaty, indicating that the imperative is a polite request. But this is omitted by most English versions. However, it is reflected in King James Version “I pray thee.” It will be possible in some languages to say “Please hurry to meet her” or something similar.
Since Elisha’s instructions to Gehazi include one quotation within another, giving the exact words that he wanted his servant to say to the woman, it may be desirable to transform the embedded quotation into indirect discourse. Good News Translation provides a good model for this.
The questions include a specific reference to the woman’s son: Is it well with the child? So it is surprising to find the woman answering It is well. However, speaking to the servant, Gehazi, seems to be a mere formality to be dispensed with as soon as possible. What the woman really wanted was to speak directly to the prophet about the true state of affairs. For the questions Is it well…? and the response It is well, see the comments on verse 23.
Since the woman’s answer covers all three questions, some versions find it necessary to use a plural response like “Everything is all right” (New International Version, New Century Version).
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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